Tabulating mechanism



H. L. LAMBERT 2,328,560

TABULATING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 29, 1941 4 Sheets-Sht l :1" y 5 at". /l t\ w.

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TABULATING MEcHANIsM.

Filed Oct. 29, l1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A Tryo/Wvg ys.

SePt- 7 1943' y H. L. LAMBERT 2,328,560.

t TABULATING lE-CIzLANISMV l Filed oat. 29, 1941 4 sheets-sheet s fijf, v

H. L'. LAMBERT 2,328,560

y TABULATING MECHANISM 'Filed Oct. 29. 1941 4 Sheets-Shoot 4 ,4 Troy/vins.

Patented Sept. 7, 1943 l 2,328,560 TABULATING MECHANISM lHarry L. Lambert, Enfield, N. Y., assigner to Allen Wales Adding Machine Corporation, Ithaca,

Application October'29l, 1941, Serial No. 416,970

12 Claims.

This invention relates to printing machines of the-kind in which a selectively controlled printing mechanism prints upon a record sheet conv-iined'against a platen at any of successive selective positions caused by relative movement between the platen and printing mechanism. `Ex amples of thistype of machine areftypewriting and calculating machines with cross tabulating carriages. In machines of this cross tabulating carriage-type, the carriage is urged in one direction relatively to the base and stopped successiveiyI in 4diiierent-selected positions by the tabulating stops that Aare adjustable to different positions to vary theparticular locationsin which theicarriage is stopped. 'These stops are usually atthe `'baolrof the machine and out of View of the operator lWhile at the front` ofthe machine, so that it Ihas.beenrinconvenient to setfsuch tabulator stops inlprior devices. In prior devices'it'has usually been-necessary for the'operator to go around to the 4baclrof the machine to set'the `tabulator stops properly, and when the operator is at the rear of the'machine for this-purpose it is no-t easy to observe the positions of the columns or zones of the record sheet relatively to the printing means, where one desires to stop thecarriage,

An objectief this invention is to provide an improved machine o-f this type in which relative movement of the carriage `is stopped in succession at different .printing `positions 'by tabulating mechanism, `with which the operator `may easily andquickly adjust and set the tabulating stops inthe desired stop `positions AWhile remaining in front of the machine, with which `the tabulating stops may be set easily and accurately, even "though the operator is'not able to seethem while adjusting them, With which the tabulating mechanism maybe combined with oneior more kinds of line spacing mechanism, and which machine is easily vincorporated in existing types of machines and is simple, compact, practical, trouble-free `and inexpensive.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description -o-f one embodiment of the invention, Vand the ynovel Vfeatures -will be pointed out hereinafter inconnection with the `appended claims.

In the .accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is `a rear elevation of a cross tabulating carriage of a calculating machine in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is incorporated Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the machine as seen from the rear.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary rear view, on an enapproximately on `line'Ii---i of Fig.' 1.

Fig. 7 is 'a fragmentary cross section taken ep- .proximately on the `line 'l1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary end elevation showing :some of the parts of Fig. 5 in different positions.

Fig. '9 is of the partsA shown in Fig. ferent'positions.

Fig. 1Oiisa cross section of a part of the cara 'fragmentary rearelevation of some l but disposed in dif- `riage on an enlarged scale, takenapproximately on lineHL-IO of Fig. 1.

'Fig.11is a similar View, on a still larger scale, illustrating themeans for uncoupling a tabulat- `ing stop from its guide or supporting bar.

Fig. 12is aview on thesame scale 'and on the same plane as that of Fig. 11'but`with the parts in ,the position illustrated inrFig. 10. i

rFig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical section cfa .tabulator stop andassociated parts, takenion the line-l-3-I3 Fig. 1.1.

Fig. 1.4is a fragmentary vertical section show* ing the tabulator stop `engaging ringer moved to a-position in which it `clears the tabuiator stops.

Fig. l15 is a similar view illustrating mechanism for moving the tabulator engaging finger out oi its stop engaging position automatically.

This invention is illustrated as incorporated in an adding `or calculating machine of the cross tabulating ycarriage type, examples of which are shown in United States patents to `Peters No. 1,386,021,0i August 2, 1941, and White No. 1,571,- 567, of February 2, 1926.

In this `illustrated embodiment of the invention, the cross tabulating carriage includes a frame l, Figs. v1 and 2, rotatably mounting the usual platen r'2. The frame of the machine mounts a guide member or tabulator bar 3, Figs. 5 and '6, which slidingly supports a relatively traveling carriage bar 4 by suitable ball bearings 5 and 6. The carriage bar 4 mounts the frame of the carriage for sliding movement from side to sidevof the machine in a well known manner, and the paper record sheet is either applied to the platen 2 in front of a guide plate 1, Fig. 6, and guided around beneath the platen, or paper from a roll Il] mounted on a spindle I i supported from plates I2 of the frame, is guided over the upper edge of the plate I and downwardly around the platen, depending upon the use to which the machine is to be put. The paper is conilned to the platen by suitable spring pressed ngers E with rollers 9 as usual in typewriters and calculating machines. The carriage is also provided with a rod I3 which extends between and connects the end frame members of the carriage, and the frame member 3 is provided with an extension or member I4 which straddles the rod I3 and carries rollers I5 which roll along opposite sides of the rod I 3, so as to provide a rolling support for the carriage at the rod. I3 as well as by the ball bearings between the carriage bar 4 and the frame member 3.

The bar or member 3 at its rear edge is 'I'- shaped, with the head of the T extending vertically to forni a flange I6 which is formed along its upper edge with rack teeth Il. A plurality of tabulator stops I3 are slidably and individually mounted on the flange I5 so as to be shiftable along the ilange l@ into different selected positions. Each stop i8 is generally C-shaped, Fig. 12, in transverse cross section, with the main or closed part of the C extending along the rear face of the ilange IG and the arms at the open side of the C extending above and below the upper and lower edges of the flange I, and also engaging over the upper and lower edges of the flange to prevent removal of the stop from the flange I6.

The upper end or' cross part of each stop I8 is provided with spaced slots I9 which extend in directions crosswise of the flange I5, and are of a size and spacing to receive therein the teeth I1 on the flange IE. For this purpose the slots I9 extend entirely through the upper cross part of the C, as shown in Fig. 13, and a leaf spring 20, by reaction between the ilange I 6 and the lower part of the stop I8, urges the latter downwardly in a manner to engage the teeth I 7 within the slots i9 and thereby couple the stop to the ilange iii of the bar 3. The space between the upper and lower cross parts of the C is suicient to enable the stop to be raised While remaining attached to ilange I6 and disengage the slots IS from the teeth II, as shown in Fig.. 13, and when the stop is so raisedit is free to slide along the flange I 5 to any desired position.

A spacer member 2! extends between and connects plates I2 supporting the paper roll IQ, and a plate 22 is disposed between plates I2 and provided at its ends with flanged ears 23 through which, the spacer member 2I extends. The plate 2?., adjacent its lower edge. is provided with bent ears or lugs 24 which llt against the faces of plates I2 for the paper roll. and are secured thereto in any suitable manner such as by screws, so that the plate 22 is rigidly coupled tothe plates I2 of the carriage frame. An uncoupling member is disposed flat against the rear face of the plate 22 and confined thereto by screws 26 which are threaded into the plate 22. The heads of the screws 2t confine the member 25 to the plate 22, and the shanks of the screws pass through vertically elongated slots 2i' in the member 25, so that the latter, while conilned to the plate 22, is mounted for vertical sliding movement thereon to an extent limited by the engagement of the ends of the slots 2l with the screws 26. The lower end of this member 25 is bent horizontally to form a flange 23 which extends beneath the ange i6 on the tabulator bar, as shown particularly in Figs. 11 and 12.

When the member 25 is in its lowermost position, the ilange 2S clears the lower ends of all he stops I3 which are mounted on the flange I G, but when the member 25 is shifted upwardly to the extent permitted by the slots 2l', this flange 28 will engage the lower edge of any stop I8 with which it may be in alinement, and shift that stop upwardly into the position shown in full lines in Fig. Il. VThis disengages the slots i9 from the teeth Il without disengaging the depending arm of the stop at the open side of the E: from the upper edge of the ilange it.

An operating lever 2e, Figs. i and 2, is provided with a bearing boss 313 which is pivotally mounted by a stud 3I on the plate 22. One arm of this lever 29 is pivotally connected by a pin to the uncoupling member 25 by a connection sufficiently loose to enable rocking movement oi the level' 2Q while causing vertical rectilinear movement of the uncoupling member 25. The other arm of the lever 23 is oiset rearwardly to clear the adjacent plate I2 of the carriage frame, and then extends upwardly and terminates in an operating linger piece 33 well above the carriage, and at one side of the paper roll Iii so as to be readily accessible for manipulation and operation by an operator while at the front of the machine.

Rotatably mounted in the frame of the carriage is a shaft 3d, Fig. 2, which carries, adjacent one end, an operating arm 35 terminating in a finger piece 56, and a stop linger S1 is fixed on shaft Sli intermediate of its ends. A suitable spring S8, Fig. 2, is connected to the arm 35 for rocking the shaft 34 in a direction to dispose the stop finger 3T against the rear face of the carriage member ll, see Fig. l0. While in this position, the stop ilnger 37, at its lower end, is in a position to engage against a vertical side edge of any stop i8 which it may meet when the carriage is shifted in one direction sidewise of the machine. The lower edge of the plate 22 is provided with a depending lug 39, Figs. l and 2, which, at its free end, is bent horizontally to a position above the ange ifi and at a height such that it normally clears the upper edges of the stops I8 when the latter are coupled to the ange IIS of the tabulator bar as shown in Fig. l2, yet at such height as to be engaged by the stops I S when the latter are shifted upwardly into the full line positions shown in Fig. 11 in which they are uncoupled from the ilange I.

The lug 39 may be considered as an abutment facing the stop ringer 3l, and the distance between the finger iil" and the adjacent edge oi the lug is only slightly greater than the length of a stop iS, so that when the stop nger 37 is engaged against one side or vertical edge oi a stop i8 as the carriage is moved in tabulating direction, a vertical movement ci that stop I8 into the uncoupled position shown in Fig. ll will carry the upper end cf that stop lil into a position between the lug 3S and finger 3l. 'vi/hen such a stop l2 is elevated in this manner and conilned between the lug 3Q and the tabulating stop nger 3l, the carriage may be moved to shift that uncoupled stop i8 along the flange IE5 of the tabulator bar into any desired position. It is understood, of courseI that when any such stop I 8 is elevated in this manner, it is concommitantly uncoupled from th'e tabulator bar, and its upper end shifted into the path of movement of the lug 3S on the carriage.

The carriage :is urged 'in =a idtrection lforlrlaam Arectilinear movement :along me :counter bar 2 by any, suitable resilient f or yielding imeans,

:anti-in the particular,.illustrsteiiexemple a 'nexstop nger 11 Withth'e stops 'lB fin succession.

When the movement of the carriage undert'he actionoi the springdrum 4`I is preventedbyjthe yengagementloitheilnger 31 withienystop [iL-'and fone desires to cause -a movement of the carriage into 'e successive printing position, -it is merely necessary to .press the 'ringer 3i of arm, which rocks the Stinger .31 into a position to vclear the Aengaged :stop I8, whereupon the vcarriage begins to move under the urging of the strap 40. 'The operator immediately releases lthe `iii-iger 38, `and 'the springii rocks fthe finger 31 backinto'apos'ition Ito engage Vthe next vstop 18 as soon as the mgm' 931 has cleared the lrea-r face of `the -stop Il irom which .it has just -been disengaged. Th'e carriage travels until the krfinger -31 engagesithe lnextlstop I8 in succession on the bar It, and this positions 'the carriage in another suitable printing position. Successive movements may be caused in the same manner.

Before starting -a tabulating'operation, the operator sets the 'stops I8 in succession inthe desired positions where it is desired -to stop the carriage, and 'this pre-setting of the stops may be accompiished in a simple manner. For this purpose, the operator shifts the 'carriage against theoctlon of setting `the stops insuccession continued movement, and then releases the carriage for movement until it engages the first stop I8.

when this occurs, the operator grasos the operating end 33 of the lever 2li and rocks that lever yin a direction `to `elevate the uncoupling member I5, which at thattime is `oel'cw the stop I?! then engaged by the finger 31. The vcnoerator at the until all the stops are set in the desired limiting positions.

In order that the carriage may be moved to start anew cycle of tabulating operations and tension the spring drum 4i without being lobliged t-'o shift the linger "piece 36 and through it the -iinger 31 to clear the tabulator stops I8, the lower end of the vertical side face of the finger 31., at the `side `opposite that face `which engages the stops VI-8 'during a tabulating operation, is beveled as at A44 in `a manner to `cause the stops i8 `to cam the `finger 31 aside automatically when the carriage is Imoved to tension the Ispring drum 4I, ready fora 'new tabulating operation. Thus the finger 81 will vbe automatically cammed aside `in succession by the stops during this return movement of the carriage, while tensioning `the spring drum, 4I.

From the foregoing, it will beobserved that the operator while in any position at the viront of the machine for performing the printing operations, may set the stops i8 in selected tabulatin'g positions, with accuracy, even though the operator cannot, while doing so, see the stops I8 that are being set.

The carriage is also provided with the usual universal bar or bail 43 which is rockably sup- .ported upon the rod I3 extending endwise of the `carriage between the frame members thereof.

This `universal bar 45 is of approximately the same length as the carriage so that it may be en'- gaged, in any of the carriage positions, and operated by a suitable cam 41, Figs. 5 and '6, as usual in this type of machine, and as explained in the n Peters and White patents hereinabove identified. "One end lof the member 48, Fig. l, of the universal bar 45 extends beyond the pivot rod I3 and at its upper 'end carries a' pivot stud '49 which rcckably supports a platen rotating pawl 5I). This pawl engages with ratchet teeth `of a ratchet wheel 5I fixed on one end of the platen, and a spring 52 acts between a tail of the pawl 50 and the lever 48 to rock the nose yof the pawl yieldingly into enn Igagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel.

'r Thus 'each time that the univerasal bar v45 is same time, holds the carriage `against movement.

When the lever 29 is rocked in this man-ner,

the vuncoupling member 25 is elevated and it in turn, engages the stop I8 against which the 1linlger '31 then abuts, and raises it from the no1-mal,

coupled position shown in Figs. 3 and 12, into the unooupled position shown in Fig. il, thus dis- .engaging that stop I8 from the teeth l1 of the liange I6. Then While holding lever 29 operated, the operator shifts the carriage in either direction into the position where he desires to stop the carriage for the first printing operation. When that position is reachedthe finger 33 of lever 29 is released, and the stop is then automatically caused to ire-engage or re-couple itself to the flange I6 of the tabulat-cr bar by the action of the leaf spring 20 of that stop. The operator then depresses the nger 36 to cause a tabulating operation by movement of the cerriage until the next stop I8 is engaged, and then this re-setting operation for that stop is conducted in a manner similar to that just described, so as to set that second stop in the desired position to stop the carriage in the position desired for the second printing operation. This operation o! setting the stops in succession is continued rocked by the cam 41, it will, through the pawl 50, impart to the ratchet wheel 5I and through it the platen a selected increment of rotary `movement.

The extent of this increment of movement may be varied in any suitable manner well known in the art, but in the particular illustrated example, the upper end of the lever 48 is notched in a step'- like manner, which steps, by engagement with a nose 54, limit the extent of retraction of the lever 48 and the universal bar 45, and thus the extent of retraction of the pawl 50. Since the forward movement of the `pavvi is always to the same extent, the movement given the platen depends upon the starting position of the pawl. The nose 54 is provided as a flange on one arm of a lever which is hinged at 5ta in the carriage frame, and is provided with an operating finger or ann 58.

Also rockably mounted on the rod I3, Fig. 1, is a lever 51, one end of which is forked so 'as to straddle another rod 53 forming part of the universal bar 45. This lever 51 also extends upwardly, Fig. l5, and at its free upper end rockably supports a by-pass pawl 5S which is urged into its effective position by a spring 69, but which yields when the pawl 53 is rocked in one direction, as well known for this type of pawl.

Also iixed on the shaft 34, Fig. 2, but adjacent the right-hand end of the carriage, is an arm il which extends into proximity to the by-pass pawl 59 and at its free end is bent and carries a roller 62. Intermediate of its ends, it also carries a roller G3. When the shaft 3Q is released and urged by spring 33 into its normal position shown in Figs. 1 and 10, in which the stop finger 31 is in the position shown in Fig. 10, the arm 6| will position the roller E3 within the path of the bypass pawl 59. Thus when the universal bar 45 is rocked by the cam 41, the arm 51 thereof will move the by-pass pawl 59 in a direction for the pawl 59 to engage the roller 63 as shown in Fig. 10, land cam the arm 6| upwardly suiciently to disengage the tabulating stop linger 31 from a stop |8 with which the finger 31 is engaged, and

then immediately pass the roller 53 as shown by the dash lines in Fig. 15. When the iinger 31 was rocked in this manner and then released, it caused the disengagement ci the stop member Hi from that nger suinciently to start tabulating movement under the urging of spring drum 4| and the immediately following release of the roller |53 allo-Wed the ringer ".31 to be swung back into a position to engage the next stop IB and thereby limit that increment of movement oi the carriage.

When the universal bar t is returned to its normal or retracted position as usual in this type of machine, the by-pass pawl 59 will idly pass the roller B3 without causing any rocking movement of the shaft 34, this passing po-sition being shown in full lines in Fig. 15, and the iinal return position by the dot and dash line in the same gure.

Also mounted on one end of the carriage by a stud 64, Fig. l, is a lever 65. A spring 96 connected between a suitable part of the carriage frame and one arm of lever 65 urges that lever into the full line position shown in Fig. l until a limit pin 51, Fig. l, on the lever G5 engages against an end frame member of the carriage. 'This lever 65 is provided with 'a laterally extending lug 68 which extends loosely through the opening of an eye G9. Fig. 7, in a plate 10 secured to an end portion of the carriage. The lug 68 slides idly in the eye E9 when the lever 65 is rocked about the pivot stud 54. The lever 65 is also provided with a lug 1| having an oblique cam edge 12 on the free end thereof, which, when the lever B5 is rocked, engages the roller 62 on the end of arm 9| and rocks the arm G! in a direction to disengage the tabulating stop nger 31 from a stop in a manner similar to that by which the finger 31 was disengaged when the arm 6| ywas rocked by the universal bar, except that when the lever (i5 is operated in this manner, it rocks the arm 6| and should then be immediately released and allowed to return to its normal posiy tion. This immediately releases the arm El so that the finger 31 may be returned to a position to engage the next stop I8 in the sequence.

This lever E5 also carries a roller 13, Fig. 5, which, during the rocking of the lever 65, engages one arm of a lever 14 also rockably mounted on the stud a, and rocks the lever 14 counterclockwise in Fig. 5. Another arm of the lever 14 is connected by a pivot 'pin 15 to a driving pawl 16 which also engages and operates the ratchet wheel 5| of the platen to cause a line-spacing operation of the platen whenever the lever is rocked. A suitable click pawl is also provided for the ratchet wheel 5| to prevent retrograde movement of the platen and also aid in preventing ove'rrunning of the .platen during the paper advancing increment of movement of the platen. Thus it will be observed that the carriage may be released for a tabulating operation either by manually operating the finger piece 36 on :arm

`35, or by an operation of the universal bar 45,

or by an operation of the lever 65. The universal bar 45 and the lever 65, when operated, however, also cause line-spacing increments of rotation of the platen, whereas operation of the lever 35 causes a tabulating operation without a linespacing increment of rotation of the platen.

Additional means are also shown at the lefthand end of the carriage in Fig. l, for imparting increments of rotation to the platen independently of any tabulating movement of the carriage, but inasmuch as the details of such means form no part of the present invention, they will not be described or more fully illustrated.

It is believed that the operation of the tabulating mechanism will be clear from the foregoing description, but will be brieiiy summarized. When setting up a sheet in the carriage preparatory to printing operations, the carriage is shifted in a direction to tension the spring drum 4|, to the full limit of its movement, and then released to enable it to move until linger 31 engages the first of the stops i8. The operator then rocks the lever 29 to unoouple the stop then engaged by the tabulating nger 31, which uncoupling operation lautomatically shifts that stop into the elevated position in which it is confined between the lug 39 on the carriage and the finger 31. The carriage is then shifted to place the first stop in the desired position for the iirst printing operation, and then the lever` 29 is released. The released stop automatically re-couples itself to the flange i6 of the tabulating bar.

The linger piece 38 is next rocked to cause the iirst ltabulatinrr operation, and as soon as the Carriage comes to rest against the next stop I8 in the sequence, the operator again rocks the lever 29 to uncouple that second stop from the tabulator bar, and the carriage is then shifted in either direction to position that second stop in the desired position for lthe second printing operation for the second tabulating position. The lever 29 is now again released. These setting operations are continued until all of the stops are set in the desired positions. After that, when a printing operation is to be started, the carriage is moved to starting position which tensions the spring drum 4|, and as the carriage is released it is moved by the drum 4|, until it is stopped by the engagement of the tabulator nger 31 with the iirst stop I9. The carriage is released for tabulating movement to the next or second position in any of three ways: (l) by manual operation of the lever 35, (2) by operation of the universal bar 45, and (3) by manual operation of the line-spacing lever 65.

The stops may be reset by the operator with- V out going around to the rear of the machine, and

`this greatly simplifies and accelerates the setting of the stops.

It will be understood that various changes in the details and arrangementsof parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a printing machine of the type employing a cross tabulating carriage carrying a platen, which carriage is mounted to move horizontally from side to side, a bar disposed along and adjacent said carriage, means yieldingly urging said carriage in one direction relatively to said bar, a plurality of stops mounted on and individually and releasably coupled to said bar and, when released, movable along said bar for locating said stops in selected positions on said bar, a stop :linger on said carriage engageable against one side of each of said stops in succession to position the carriage in printing positions determined by the relative positions of the stops as the carriage is given increments of movement from stop to stop, means for rocking said stop iinger into a position to clear a stop with which it may be engaged, means operable on said finger when said finger is released from said rocking means for returning it to a position in which it will engage` the next stop along said bar as the carriagel is moved by said urging means, an abutment on said carriage which is disposed adjacent the opposite side of any stop engaged by said stop iinger and normally clearing said stops as the carriage moves from side to side, and means accessibleto ,an operator at the front of the machine for uncoupling any stop from said bar and moving a portion thereof into the path of said abutment, whereby the carriage may be manually moved to position such uncoupled stop into any desired position to represent the position of a column on a sheet in printing position on said platen.

2. In a printing machine of the type employing a cross tabulating carriage carrying a platen which carriage is mounted to move horizontally from side to side, a bar disposed along and adjacent said carriage, means yieldingly urging said carriage in one direction relatively to said bar, a plurality of stops mounted on and 'individually and releasably coupled to said bar and, when released, movable along said bar for locating said stops in selected positions on said bar, said carriage having an abutment normally clearing said stops when said stops are coupled to said bar, but engageable with a portion of any stop that is uncoupled from said bar during movement of said carriage against said urging means, a stop linger on said carriage engageable against each of said stops in succession during movement of said carriage by said urging means, to limit the extent of movement of said carriage, means selectively operable for causing said finger to clear any stop during movement of said carriage by said urging means, means for urging said finger back into stop engaging position, and means accessible from the front of said machine for selectively uncoupling from said barany stop engaged by said finger.

3. In a printing machine of the type employing a cross tabulating carriage mounting a platen, and which carriage moves horizontally from side to side, a bar disposed along and adjacent said' carriage, means yieldingly urging said carriage and bar relative to each other in one direction, a plurality of stops mounted on said bar for movement therealong and individually and releasably coupled to said bar so as to be releasably located in selected positions along said bar, each stop having a portion displaceable laterally of said bar automatically when that stop is uncoupled from. said bar, a stop finger on said carriage and engageable with said stops in succession to position the carriage in printing positions as determined by the location of said stops, means for shifting said finger into a position to clear a stop with which it may be engaged, means for urging said mager back into stop engaging position when released, an abutment on said carriage disposed to closely confine between it and said finger any stop engaged by said finger and uncoupled from said bar, and which abutment is positioned to clear al1- stops coupled to said bar, and means accessible to anA operator while at the front of said machine, for uncoupling from said bar any stop engaged by said iinger and thereby movin-g said displaceable portion into a position to be engaged by said abutment.

4. In a printing machine of the type employing a carriage mounting a platen and which carriage is mounted to move horizontally, a tabulating bar disposed along and adjacent said carriage, means yieldingly urging said carriage in one direction relatively to said bar, a plurality of stops mounted on and individually and releasably coupled to saidV bar, spaced means on said carriagev for receiving between them any stop aligned with the'space between them, one of said spaced means being yieldingly urged into a position to engage said steps in succession upon movement of said-` carriage, the other of said spaced means normally clearing said stops during movement of said carriage, means for shifting said one of said` spaced means out of said' stop engaging position, to clear said stops upon movement of said carriage, and means accessible from' thefront of the machine ior'uncoupling any stop engaged by said one of said spaced means and shifting a portion thereof into the path of said other of said spaced means.

5,'. In a printingmachine of the. type employing a carriage mounting a platen and which carriage is mounted to `move horizontally, a tabulating bar disposed along and adjacent said carriage, means yieldingly urging said carriage in one direction relatively to said bar, a plurality of stops mounted on and individually and releasably coupled to saidbar, spaced means on said carriage for receiving between them any stop-aligned with the space between them, one of said spaced means being yieldingly urged into a position to engage said stops in succession upon movement of said. carriage, the other of said spaced means normally clearing said stops during movement of said carriage, means for shifting said one oi' said spaced means out of stop engaging position, aY stop engagingpart mounted on said carriage and` positioned adjacent a stop which is aligned at any time with the space between said spaced means, said part being movable into engagement with that stop for uncoupling that stop from said bar` and moving a portion thereof into said space between said means, and means mounted on said carriage and operatively connected to said stop engaging part and having an operating part extending into position for convenient operation by an operator at the front of the machine for actuating said movable stop engaging part to shifty saidxstopinto andout of position betweeni said spaced means.

6. In a printing machine of the typev employing a carriage mounting aplaten and which carriage is mounted to move horizontally, a tabulating' bar disposed along and adjacent said carriage,l

etween said spaced means, means io-r yieldingly holding said part out of engagement with said stop, a member disposed for access by an operator positioned at the front of said machine and which is operable to move said stop engaging part into engagement with said stop against the action of said second yielding means for uncoupling said stop from said bar and moving a portion of said stop between said spaced means, whereby said stop may be shifted by said carriage along and relatively to said bar, and upon release of said member by said operator, said stop engaging part will be disengaged from said stop by action of said second yielding means so that said stop may be coupled to said bar in the positio-n to which it has been shifted.

7. In a machine of the kind in which a selectively controlled printing mechanism prints upon a record sheet confined against a platen, in any of successive positions of relative rectilinear movement of the platen and printing mechanism, the improvement which comprises a carriage part, a base part, said parts being relatively movable to give such rectilinear movement, means acting between said parts for yieldingly urging them relative to each other in one direction, one of said parts having a tabulating bar extending in the direction of said relative rectilinear movement of said parts, a plurality of tabulator stops mountedon said bar for independent movement therealong, and each separately and releasably coupled thereto, a tabulator nger carried by the other of said parts and engageable in succession with said stops to limit said relative movement by said urging means, to selected extents depending upon the positions of said stops on said bar, means for shifting said finger laterally of the direction of said movement to clear any stop, means for urging said linger back into its position to engage a stop when released, an abutment on said other of said parts normally clearing said stops while said stops are coupled to said bar, but engageable with any stop that is engaged by said finger and is uncoupled from said bar to limit movement of that uncoupled stop away from said finger, whereby any uncoupled stop disposed between said nger and abutment may be shifted by such relative movement to a new position on said bar and released for limiting subsequently such relative movement, and means accessible to an operator while at the front of said machine for uncoupling from said bar any stop engaged by said finger and holding it uncoupled during any portion of said relative movement necessary to position said stop at a desired position, whereby when a sto-p is recoupled to said bar after being positioned it will be eiiective to sto-p such relative movement by said urging means when said linger again engages it.

Y 8. In a machine of the kind in which a selectively controlled printing mechanism prnts upon a record sheet confined against a platen, in any of successive positions of relative rectilinear` movement of the platen and printing mechanism, the improvement which comprises a carriage part, a base part, said parts being relatively movable to give such rectilinear movement, means acting between said parts for yieldingly urging them relative to each other in one direction, one of said parts having a tabulating bar extending in the direction of said relative rectilinear movement of said parts, a plurality of tabulator stops mounted on said bar for independent movement therealong, and each separately and releasably coupled thereto, each stop having a part shiftable in a direction laterally of said bar when coupled and uncoupled therefrom, a tabulator finger carried by the other of said parts and engageable in succession with said sotps to limit said relative movement by said urging means to selected eX- tents depending upon the positions of said stops on said bar, means for shifting said finger laterally of the direc of said movement to clear any stop, means for urging said iinger back into its position to engage a stop when released, an abutment on said other of said parts normally clearing said stops while said stops are coupled to said bar, but engageable with said part of any stop which has been shifted laterally of the bar by the disengagement of that stop from said bar, n

whereby any uncoupled stop conned between said linger and said abutment may be shifted along said bar and recouplcd to the bar at any desired position therealong, and means engageable with any stop engaged by said finger under the action of said first urging means, for uncoupling that stop and holding it uncoupled while that uncoupled stop is shifted into a new position.

9. In a machine or" the kind in which a selectively controlled printing mechanism prints upon a record sheet confined against a platen, in any of successive positions relative rectilinear movement of the platen and printing mechanism, the improvement which comprises a carriage part, a base part, said parts being relatively movable to give such rectilinear movement, means acting between said parts for yieldingly urging them relative to each other in one direction, one of said parts having a tabulating bar extending in the direction of said relative rectilinear movement of said parts, a plurality of tabulator stops mounted on said bar for independent movement therealong, and each separately and releasably coupled thereto, an abutment carried by the other of said parts and normally clearing said stops during such relative movement, a tabulator finger also carried by said other of said parts and engageable in succession with said stops to limit said relative movement by said urging means, means for shifting said finger in a direction laterally of the direction of said rectilinear movement to clear any stop engaged thereby, means for urging said ngerback into its position to engage a stop, each stop having a portion thereof shiftable, when uncoupling it from said bar, in a direction laterally of the direction of such rectilinear movement into a position in which it is confined between said finger and abutment while that stop is engaged by said finger, and means also carried by said other of saidparts normally clearing said stops but engageable with any stop engaged by said finger for uncoupling it from said bar and shifting-,said portion of that stop into position for engagement by said `abutment and for holding said stop so uncoupled, whereby any of said stops engaged by said finger may be uncoupled from said bar, shifted along said bar whileconiined between said finger and said abutment, and recoupled to said bar at'any desired position therealong,

10; In a printing machine of the type employing a cross tabulating carriage mounting a platen and which carriage is mounted to move horizontally, a bar disposed along and adjacent said carriage, means yieldingly urging said carriage in one direction relatively to said bar, a plurality of stops mounted on and individually and releasably coupled to said bar, a shaft on said carriage mounted for rocking movement thereon about an axis generally parallel to the direction of movement of said carriage, a finger carried by said shaft and engageable against each of said stops in succession to position the carriage in successive printing positions determined by the relative positions of the stops, an abutment also carried by said carriage in slightly spaced relation to said finger for engagement with any of said stops engaged with said nger While uncoupled from said bar, but clearing said stops while the stops are coupled to said bar, means for rocking said shaft to disengage said finger from any stop engaged thereby, means yieldingly urging said shaft in a direction to return said finger to a position in which it Will engage the next stop, and additional means also operable on said shaft to rock it in a direction to clear any stop engaged thereby and during the same operation, line spacing said platen.

11. In a printing machine of the type employing a cross tabulating carriage mounting a platen and which carriage is mounted to move horizontally, a bar disposed along and adjacent said carirage, means yieldingiy urging said carriage in one direction relatively to said bar, a plurality of stops mounted on and individually and releasably coupled to said bar, a shaft on said carriage mounted for rocking movement thereon about an axis generally parallel to the direction of movement of said carriage, a finger carried by said shaft and engageable against each of said stops in succession to position the carriage in successive printing positions determined by the relative positions of the stops, an abutment also carried by said carriage in slightly spaced relation to said iinger for engagement With any of said stops engaged With said finger while uncoupled from said bar, but clearing said stops while the stops are coupled to said bar, means for rocking said shaft to disengage said nger from any stop engaged thereby, means yieldingly urging said shaft in a direction to return said finger to a position in which it Will engage the next stop, additional means also operable on said shaft to rock it in a direction to clear any stop engaged thereby and during the same operation, line spacing said platen, and a universal bar also mounted on said carriage and having means associated therewith for rocking said shaft, independently of said other shaft operating means, in a direction to disengage said ringer from any stop engaged thereby and for also line spacing said platen in the same operation that disengages said linger.

12. In a printing machine of the type employing a carriage, a tabulating bar disposed along and adjacent said carriage, means for yieldingly urging said carriage and bar relative to each other in one direction, a plurality of stops mounted on said bar for movement therealong, each stop having a part shiftable in a direction cross- Wise of said bar, between one position in Which it is individually coupled to said bar and another position in which it is uncoupled from said bar. means yieldingly urging said part into said one position, a member carried by said carriage and engageable with one end of said part when in said another position to push that stop in a single direction along said bar With said carriage when the carriage is shifted in said single direction, and clearing said part when the latter is in said one position, a second member carried by said carriage and engageable with that stop to shift it with the carriage in a direction opposite to that caused by said first mentioned member and shiftable selectively to clear that stop, and means carried by said carriage, and shiftable therewith into alignment with said part on any of said stops, and having an element selectively operable, when aligned with said part of any stop to move said part into said one postion and uncouple that stop from said bar and couple it to said carriage for movement with the latter to any new position where it may be released for recoupling to said bar, whereby one may shift the stops to selected positions on said bar while grasping and manually moving said carriage in either direction.

HARRY L. LAMBERT. 

